Page 56 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

It was agreed. The horses were led to a nearby stream to drink while Mrs. Gardiner distributed boiled eggs, cheese, and fresh rolls to her family.

When the servants returned, she handed them their luncheon basket, and they crossed to the other side of the carriage to eat.

After hurrying through her meal, Elizabeth wandered beside the stream. The weather was pleasantly mild, though she kept on her pelisse against the autumn coolness. It was a lovely place. The beeches glowed with bronze and copper foliage, while most of the oaks still wore their summer green. The ash trees had already begun to turn, their pale, yellow leaves bright against the darker woodland, and the silver birches shone like gold in the sunlight. She thought the valley was among the most beautiful she had ever beheld. Ferns lined the stream bank, and yarrow flourished in the nearby fields.

Elizabeth stooped to examine a curious mushroom with a scarlet cap sprinkled with white, when the sound of another carriage reached her ears.

As she straightened for a better look, she silently thanked Heaven for sending assistance. Shaking out her skirts, she hastened to where her family stood.

Her uncle was introducing himself to a tall, dark-haired gentleman. Although the stranger was dressed for riding, the fine cut of his coat and his magnificent mount, a handsome gray blood horse with a silver-white mane and tail, proclaimed him a man of considerable wealth.

Chapter 24: Crossroads

Grosvenor Square, London

October 2, 1811

Richard entered the study, and Darcy rose to greet him. The two men embraced briefly before Richard clasped his cousin's shoulder.

“Darcy, we shall see this through together. I shall accompany you and Georgiana to America to see you safely settled. An Atlantic crossing is no light undertaking while the war continues. French privateers still prey upon British shipping, and there is always the chance of encountering an enemy frigate.”

“Thank you, Richard. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you are willing to travel with us.”

“Is January still your intended month of departure?”

“Yes. I am still putting Pemberley in order. I have heard from the steward at Braemuir. Everything is in order. Kendall will oversee the stewards of the Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire estates, while Barnes will continue in Yorkshire without supervision. He has begun the refurbishments, and all should be in readiness by the time we return from America.”

“Cousin, I feel I have failed you and Georgiana. How that blackguard managed to bring such ruin upon us is beyond my understanding. We took such pains in engaging Georgiana's companion.”

“I have thought the same thing over and over until I fear I shall go mad. What more could I have done to prevent this tragedy?”

“I expect to receive my discharge from the War Office within the next three months. Once it is granted, I shall join you in Derbyshire. I will write and let you know the exact date of my arrival.”

Darcy rose. “Richard, let us go and find Georgiana. I asked that the carriage be brought round and loaded by half past eight.”

“Yes. They were loading it when I arrived.”

The two men walked to the front entrance and watched as the servants secured the last of the trunks upon the second carriage. Reeves, Darcy's valet, and Jenny, Georgiana's maid, stood nearby, but his sister was nowhere to be seen.

“Jenny, is Georgiana ready to leave?”

“Yes, sir. She is in the library selecting a book to take with her.”

“Ah, yes.” He looked to Reeves. “If everything is in readiness, you and Jenny may depart. We shall follow shortly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Mrs. Nichols appeared carrying two large baskets. She handed one up to Reeves before placing the other inside the larger carriage.

Darcy and Richard watched as the smaller carriage rolled away. A moment later, he heard the light tread of his sister's footsteps and looked toward her. Her expression was cheerful. It was the first sign of happiness she had shown since this calamity had befallen them.

“Are you ready, my dear?”

“Yes, Fitzwilliam.”

Georgiana embraced her cousin. “Farewell, Richard. Thank you for everything you have done for us.”

The three of them walked to the carriage, and Darcy handed Georgiana inside. The two men embraced once more, and Richard said in a low voice, “It will be well, Darcy. We are not the first family to suffer such a misfortune. Others have endured it, and so shall we.”